Dining

University of Houston Dining Services is inviting students to a special halal tasting and focus group on April 1.

The event is being hosted by Dietitian Sarah Feye and District Executive Chef Michael Bargas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Green Mountain Energy Room at the Fresh Food Company in Moody Towers.

The tasting and focus group is geared toward providing more insight into what students want. Over the last several years, UH Dining Services has seen an increase in demand for halal items. UH Dining is committed to satisfying students' diverse dietary needs and is currently researching the feasibility of implementing a halal program in residential dining.

"Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, and UH Dining wants to honor and celebrate that diversity by better accommodating the halal diet," Feye said.

Halal is a type of meat that has been blessed before becoming humanely eradicated and upholds strict processing guidelines.

Those who take part in the tasting event will be asked to complete a survey that will give UH Dining insight into what students want implemented in the residential dining halls.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff who want to participate. However, those who would like to dine at the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall will still need to use their meal plan or pay at the cash register.